System and method for placing a plurality of articles on a display rack

ABSTRACT

An outer packaging bag for use in displaying a retail item. The outer packaging bag includes a peg hole extending therethrough and a perforated line formed therein. The peg hole may be configured to align with an opening defined by a retail item or its packaging that is designed to by removably coupled to a retail display, such that the retail item or its packaging can be removably coupled to the retail display as it is enclosed by the outer packaging bag. The outer packaging bag can be removed from the retail item or retail packaging by pulling the outer packaging bag until it tears away from the retail item or retail packaging at the perforated line formed therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/636,874, filed Mar. 1, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to a product packaging, and more particularly, to a product packaging for holding a plurality of items for placement on a display rack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In retail stores, small items can be placed for display and sale on peg racks. In such cases, each of the items must be individually loaded onto the peg, which can be cumbersome and time consuming.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, an outer packaging bag is provided. The outer package bag comprises a top end and a bottom end and a first side and a second side that extend between and are generally perpendicular with the top end and the bottom end. The outer package bag further comprises an opening formed therein that is disposed offset from the top end and between the first side and the second side of the outer packaging bag and a perforated line formed therein that extends between a first side and the second side.

In another aspect, an outer packaging bag is provided where the perforated line abuts against a first side of the opening.

In another aspect, an outer packaging bag is provided where perforated line abuts against a second side of the opening that is generally opposite the first side of the opening.

In another aspect, an outer packaging bag is provided that includes a second perforated line that is generally perpendicular to the perforated line.

In another aspect, an outer packaging bag is provided where the second perforated line extends between the opening and the top end of the outer packaging bag.

In another aspect, an outer packaging bag is provided where the top end, the bottom end, the first side, and the second side of the outer packaging bag are sealed.

In another aspect, an outer packaging bag is provided where one of the top surface, the bottom surface, the first end, or the second end is integrally coupled to a retail package.

In another aspect, an outer packaging bag is provided where the opening of the outer packaging bag is designed to be removably coupled to a retail display.

In still yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided. The piece of retail packaging including a portion that defines an configured to facilitate removable coupling of the retail item to a retail display and an outer packaging bag that at least partially encloses the retail item. The outer packaging bag including an opening formed therein that extends therethrough and a perforated line formed therein. The opening of the outer packaging bag is configured to align with the opening of the retail item when the outer packaging bag at least partially encloses the retail item, such that the retail item can be removably coupled to the retail display when at least partially enclosed by the outer packaging bag and the outer packaging bag can be torn at the perforated line to remove the outer packaging bag from the retail item as the retail item is removably coupled to the retail display.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the perforated line of the outer packaging bag abuts against a first side of the opening of the outer packaging bag.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided with a second perforated line that is generally perpendicular to the perforated line.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the opening is generally offset from a top end of the outer packaging bag and generally in-between a first side and a second side of the outer packaging bag

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the top end, the first side, and the second side of the outer packaging bag are sealed.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the outer packaging bag is integrally coupled to the retail item.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the opening of the retail item is one of a hook, a hanger, or a lip.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the second perforated line extends between a top surface of the outer packaging bag and the opening of the outer packaging bag.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the perforated line extends between a first side and a second side of the retail outer packaging bag.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the perforated line extends between a top end and a bottom end of the outer packaging bag.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the retail item has a second opening to removably couple the retail item to a retail display.

In yet another aspect, a piece of retail packaging is provided where the outer packaging bag includes a second opening corresponding to the second opening of the retail item.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an outer packaging bag according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of an outer packaging bag according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a retail package including a plurality of retail items enclosed by one embodiment of an outer packaging bag according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a close up view of the retail packaging including a plurality of retail items enclosed by the embodiment of an outer packaging bag illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 depicts a view of the retail packaging including a plurality of retail items enclosed by the embodiment of the outer packaging bag illustrated in FIG. 3 removably coupled to a peg of a retail display;

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the retail packaging including a plurality of retail items enclosed by the embodiment of the outer packaging bag illustrated in FIG. 3 removably coupled to a peg of a retail display;

FIG. 7 depicts a close up view of the retail package and plurality of retail items illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 further illustrating the alignment of the peg hole or opening of the outer packaging bag and the opening of the retail package as it is removably coupled to a peg of a retail display; and

FIG. 8 depicts a schematic illustration of an outer packaging bag according to one aspect of the present disclosure enclosing a retail packing and a plurality of retail items and further illustrating the alignment of the opening of the retail package and the opening of the outer packaging bag.

While the disclosure will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the outer packing bag 10 disclosed by the present application. The outer packaging bag 10 includes a top edge 12 and a bottom edge 14 that is generally parallel with the top edge 12. The packaging bag 10 also includes a first side 16 and a second side 18 extending between the top edge 12 and the bottom edge 14 that are generally perpendicular to the top edge 12 and bottom edge 14 of the outer packaging bag 10. As will be understood, it is envisioned that alternative embodiments of outer packaging bags 10 that are governed by the principles of the present application can be any size or shape required by the user, such as, but not limited to, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape or a triangular shape.

The outer packaging bag 10 will also include a peg hole or opening 20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the peg hole 20 has a generally circular shape and is located generally offset from the top end 12 of the outer packaging bag 10 and generally centered in-between the first side 16 and second side 18 of the outer packaging bag 10 or any other configurable shape, as desired.

As will be understood, other embodiments of the outer packaging bag 10 may include a peg hole 20 having any size and shape desired by a user, such as but not limited to, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape or a triangular shape or any other configurable shape as desired. As will also be understood, the position of the peg hole 20 of the outer packaging bag 10 can be located at any position on the outer packaging shell 10 as needed to align the peg hole 20 with an opening 29 of the retail packaging 26 (see FIG. 3), such as but not limited to, a corner of the outer packaging bag 10, near the middle of the outer packaging bag 10, or offset from the top end 12, bottom end 14, first side 16, and second side 18 of the outer packaging bag 10.

As also illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer packaging bag 10 includes a first perforated line 22 formed therein that is offset from the top end 12 of the outer packaging bag 10 and extends between the first side 16 and the second side 18 of the outer packaging bag 10, such that the perforated line 22 abuts against opposing sides of the peg hole 20. The embodiment of the outer packaging bag 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 also has a second perforated line 24 formed therein that is generally perpendicular to the first perforated line 22 and extends between the top end 12 of the outer packaging bag 10 and the peg hole 20.

As will be understood, it is envisioned that other embodiments of outer packaging bags 10 governed by the principles of the present application may have any number of perforated lines formed therein on the outer packaging bag 10, such as, but not limited to, perforated lines around the edges or offset from the top end 12, the bottom end 14, the first side 16, and the second side 18 of the outer packaging bag 10.

It is also envisioned that other embodiments may have a multitude of perforated lines that are spaced apart and extend between the top end 12 and bottom end 14 or the first side 16 and send side 18 of the outer packaging bag 10, such that a user can remove only a portion of the outer packaging bag 10 by deciding which perforated line to tear on the outer packaging bag 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of an outer packaging bag 10 according to one aspect of the present application. The embodiment of the outer packaging bag 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes all of the same features as the embodiment of the outer packaging bag illustrated in FIG. 1 except the embodiment of the outer packaging bag illustrated in FIG. 2 does not have a second perforated line 24.

Turning to FIGS. 2-7 showing an embodiment of the outer packaging bag according to one aspect of the present application. The outer packaging bag is illustrated enclosing a retail packaging 26 that is securing a number of retail items 28 in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer packaging bag 10 the retail packaging 26 and retail items 28 have been placed within the outer packaging bag 10, such that the outer packaging bag 10 is not integrally coupled to the retail packaging 26 or retail items 28.

In an alternative embodiment, it is envisioned that that outer packaging bag 10 is integrally formed with the retail packaging 26 of a retail item 28, such that the retail packaging 26 incorporates an embodiment of the outer packaging bag 10 governed by the principles of the present application.

In another embodiment, it is envisioned that the outer packaging bag 10 will be integrally coupled to the pre-existing retail packaging 26 of a retail item 28. The outer packaging bag 10 can be integrally coupled to the pre-existing retail packaging 26 of a retail item 28 by any means generally known in the art such as, but not limited to, an adhesive or a mechanically coupling means such as, but not limited to, staples or the like.

The illustrated embodiment of the outer packing bag 10 is shown enclosing retail packaging 26 with an opening 29 extending through the retail packaging 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the peg hole 20 of the outer packaging bag 10 is configured to align with the opening 29 of the retail packaging 26 when the retail packaging 26 is enclosed by the outer packaging bag 10.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the retail packaging 26 that is enclosed by the outer packaging bag 10 can be removably coupled to a retail display 30 by positioning the peg hole 20 of the outer packaging bag 10 and the opening 29 of the retail packaging 26 to align with one of the plurality of pegs 32 that extends from the retail display 30 and then inserting one of the plurality of pegs 32 from the retail display 30 through both the peg hole 20 of the outer packaging bag 10 and the opening 29 of the retail packaging 26 until the outer packaging bag 10 and the retail packaging 26 are secured on the retail display 30 by the peg 32.

Once the retail packaging 26 has been removably coupled to one of the plurality of pegs 32 on the retail display 30, the outer packaging bag 10 can be removed from the retail packaging 26 by grasping the outer packaging bag 10 and applying enough linear force on the outer packaging bag 10 to tear the outer packaging bag 10 at the first perforated line 22 and/or the second perforated line 24 of the outer packaging bag 10. Removing the outer packaging bag 10 by tearing it away at the first and/or second perforated lines 22, 24 will leave just the retail packaging 26 and the retail items 28 on the peg 32 of the retail display 30.

As will be understood, embodiments of the outer packaging bag 10 governed by the principles of the present application can be made from any type of material that is generally known in the art retail packaging, such as, but not limited to, any type of plastic material or any other type of synthetic or man-made material, any type of paper material, or any other type of natural material. As will also be understood, embodiments of the outer packaging bag 10 governed by the principles of the present application can come in any size or shape required to enclose any type of retail packaging 26 or retail item 28 generally known in the art.

As will also be understood, other embodiments of the outer packing bag 10 can include any number, size, shape, of peg holes 20 that are required to correspond with any type of opening 29 in any retail packaging 26 or retail item 28 generally known in the art, such as, but not limited to any hook, mount, or aperture used to removably couple a piece or retail packaging 26 or retail item 28 from any type of mount used on a retail display 30, such as, by not limited to any type of wire, hook, or lip used to removably couple retail packaging 26 or retail items 28 to a retail display 30.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An outer packaging bag comprising: a top end and a bottom end and a first side and a second side that extend between and are generally perpendicular with the top end and the bottom end; an opening formed therein that is disposed offset from the top end and between the first side and the second side of the outer packaging bag; and a perforated line formed therein that extends between the first side and the second side.
 2. The outer packaging bag of claim 1, wherein the perforated line abuts against a first side of the opening.
 3. The outer packaging bag of claim 2, wherein the perforated line abuts against a second side of the opening that is disposed opposite the first side of the opening.
 4. The outer packaging of claim 1, further comprising a second perforated line that is extendingly perpendicular to the perforated line.
 5. The outer packaging bag of claim 4, wherein the second perforated line is disposed between the opening and the top end of the outer packaging bag.
 6. The outer packaging bag of claim 1, wherein the top end, the bottom end, the first side, and the second side of the outer packaging bag are sealed.
 7. The outer packaging bag of claim 1, wherein one of the top surface, the bottom surface, the first end, or the second end is integrally coupled to a retail package.
 8. The outer packaging bag of claim 1, wherein the opening of the outer packaging bag is designed to be removably coupled to a retail display.
 9. A piece of retail packaging comprising: a retail item including a portion that defines an opening configured to facilitate removably coupling the retail item to a retail display; an outer packaging bag that at least partially encloses the retail item; the outer packaging bag including an opening formed therein that extends therethrough and a perforated line formed therein; wherein the opening of the outer packaging bag is configured to align with the opening of the retail item when the outer packaging bag at least partially encloses the retail item, such that the retail item can be removably coupled to the retail display when at least partially enclosed by the outer packaging bag; and wherein the outer packaging bag can be torn at the perforated line formed therein to remove the outer packaging bag from the retail item as the retail item is removably coupled to the retail display.
 10. The piece of retail packaging, wherein the perforated line of the outer packaging bag abuts against a first side of the opening of the outer packaging bag.
 11. The piece of retail packaging of claim 9, further comprising a second perforated line formed therein that is extendingly perpendicular to the perforated line.
 12. The piece of retail packaging of claim 9, wherein the opening is disposed offset from a top end and between a first side and a second side of the outer packaging bag
 13. The piece of retail packaging of claim 12, wherein the top end, the first side, and the second side of the outer packaging bag are sealed.
 14. The piece of retail packaging of claim 9, wherein the outer packaging bag is integrally coupled to the retail item.
 15. The piece of retail packaging of claim 9, wherein the opening of the retail item is one of a hook, a hanger, or a lip.
 16. The piece of retail packaging of claim 11, wherein the second perforated line is disposed between a top surface of the outer packaging bag and the opening of the outer packaging bag.
 17. The piece of retail packaging of claim 1, wherein the perforated line is disposed between a first side and a second side of the retail outer packaging bag.
 18. The piece of retail packaging of claim 1, wherein the perforated line is disposed between a top end and a bottom end of the outer packaging bag.
 19. The piece of retail packaging of claim 1, wherein the retail item has a second portion that defines a second opening configured to removably couple the retail item to the retail display.
 20. The piece of retail packaging of claim 19, wherein the outer packaging bag includes a second opening formed therein and disposed therethrough corresponding to the second opening of the retail item. 